With the summer holidays fast approaching, many young people, and a few parents, will be enjoying trying to figure out how to fill up two months of free time.
As well as travels abroad, days away closer to home, and perhaps even some part-time work, the highlight of many children's' holiday period is the summer scheme. From camping to climbing, dancing to drama, there's something for almost everyone. And now, for those young people who love great music, as well as sport and games, there's a summer program in town that should be right up their street.
'School's Out!' is a choral summer project for young people aged eleven to seventeen, with an emphasis on really funky music. Over a two week period, participants will get a chance to rehearse and perform songs by some of the latest and greatest artists, including Nickelback, Duffy, Take That, Scouting for Girls, Mika, The Beatles and more. Other songs include numbers from the hit musicals Wicked, Hairspray, and Enchanted! At the end of the project they group will be recording a professional CD with backing from top local musicians, and there'll be a big final evening concert for parents, friends and members of the public.
Great music isn't the only thing for the teenagers taking part to look forward to. Every day there will be sports and games, with mini-tournaments taking place for the duration of the course. Sports will include football, netball, rounders, quick cricket, ultimate Frisbee as well as loads of cool games that we'll invent ourselves!.
As Course Director David Robertson explains: "The ethos behind School's Out! is that making music should be really serious fun! But choosing music that kids genuinely have a feeling for is just one part of the picture. As well as the music, sports and games we'll be doing all kinds of team-building games and activities. There will also be a number of workshops designed to help boost kids' confidence, both in their singing and in general.
"My own experiences in teaching have shown me that, for all sorts of reasons, kids can feel under a lot of pressure when they perform. I find it incredibly useful to work on issues such as stage fright, nerves and so on, to learn about why these happen and how to overcome them. Also, kids often find that simply performing in front of others in a supportive, no-pressure, team environment can massively boost their confidence, and that's what the course is all about."
The Program was founded last summer and the first edition of 'School's Out!' was a resounding success. David plans to build on those foundations this year and very much hopes that 'School's Out!' will become an integral part of the calendar each summer.
As David explains: "The benefits this kind of program can bring to all sides of the community shouldn't be under-estimated.
"We had a massively varied bunch of young people last year and through shared experiences many great friendships were forged. This year we have set the Program up on a not-for-profit basis and have been actively seeking funding.
Needless to say, would really welcome any and all offers of sponsorship from local businesses and benefactors!"
'School's Out!' will take place from Monday 14th to Friday 25th July in St. Fanchea's College, Enniskillen. Application is open to boys and girls aged eleven to seventeen and no previous singing or choral experience is necessary.
Application forms are available from the Music Departments of many local schools. For further information on rates, discounts, course details or for application forms, e-mail info@schoolsoutprogram.co.uk, write to School's Out!, P.O. Box 41, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, or contact David directly on 02866328457.
